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Birthday Party Planning Tips for Multiples

Having multiples is a real blessing. However, throwing them a birthday party can be challenging Coordinating all their wishes, making sure they’re all happy, and always checking if everybody’s feeling all right can be quite exhausting and can really take a toll on you, both mentally and physically. Here are some birthday party planning tips on how to throw them a birthday party they’ll never forget while you maintain your sanity.

To Theme or Not to Theme

In order to successfully combine all your children’s wishes into one giant party, you need to come up with a theme all of them are going to love. These can be versatile and cover everything from their favorite cartoon characters to classic ideas like princesses, cowboys, and pirates. However, if your children can’t agree on just one theme, perhaps you can combine each chosen theme into something unique just for them. Or ask them to take turns to choose themes – one twin chooses this year, the other gets to pick next year’s theme. The final option is to go with a more neutral theme that can be something everyone agrees on, or which can be mixed easily such as a color theme (e.g. white and red, pink and blue etc.) You don’t need to have a theme but with one, it’s definitely easier to figure out the decorations and birthday cake (or cakes!).

Who to Invite

Throwing a huge birthday party is every child’s dream. The reality is, the more guests you have mean more work and expenses. Be practical when drawing up the list of invitees and include only the people all children agree on. Try to keep it all simple: a few of their closest friends, and family members. Of course, you should always listen to your children’s wishes and try to respect them, but you do have to put a cap on the number of people to invite. If you’re throwing a party at home, explain to the children that there are only so many people the house can accommodate at one time. If the party is at a paid venue, stick to a budget and let the children know they have a limited number of friends they can invite.

Food for Everyone!

No matter how many kids you have and how many people they invite to their birthday party, there’s one thing you’ll have to work on particularly hard – the food. Making sure there’s enough for everyone is crucial, since nobody wants to be at a party where they go hungry. You also need to take into consideration any food allergies or sensitivities. Plan your menu in advance with input from the birthday kids and always prepare more than you think you need. Just in case!

Keeping the Kids Entertained

Filling your backyard with a bunch of kids sounds simple, but what are you going to do with them? How are you going to keep them occupied? What sort of activities will you offer them so that they don’t get bored and cranky? Organize some fun and special activities such as games, perhaps hire a clown or magician, or if you’re lucky enough to have a pool, throw a pool party (though please, take water safety seriously). If you have enough space for a bouncy castle or trampoline, rent one! The alternative to figuring out activities on your own is to throw the party at a venue where they are ready activities, such as a trampoline park or a jungle gym. If the kids are older, laser tag and ice skating parties can be fun.

Be Organized

Parents of multiples are generally well-organized so throwing a birthday party shouldn’t be any different. Set a date, decide on a venue, draw up the guest list, figure out a menu, activities, order the cake, and finalize a budget, then create an invitation and send that out at least two to three weeks in advance. Then follow up with RSVPs a week before the date of the party. People are generally happy to receive a reminder, so do not be embarrassed about sending a text or email to ask if they’re coming.

On the day of the party, prepare everything that you can the night before, and make sure the venue, whether it be your home or elsewhere, is decorated and the food ready, at least an hour before the party is due to start. Then, let your hair down and enjoy the day with your kids!

This article is a contribution from a guest blogger. If you’re interested in writing for Multiples Illuminated, please go to our Submissions page for more information.

Emma B. Joyce is a blogger based in Australia. She is a true home decor and DIY fanatic. Emma is interested in music and also is a big reading enthusiast. Finding new designs and patterns is her daily task. She is a regular contributor on Smooth Decorator.